£7 billion drug gang foiled when smuggler left van to go drinking in Amsterdam

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Russell Leonard, 48, of Grosmont Road, Kirkby was jailed for 24 years In a conversation recorded by police, Paul Green told one of his bungling smugglers: “If the van’s gone or been grabbed by the police then there’ll be f***ing murders.” When the duo returned the following morning from their drinking session, they got in the van and drove off but were immediately stopped by Dutch police. open image in gallery Paul Green, 59, known as The Big Fella was jailed for 32 years Among the many items of evidence gathered were messages on Green’s encrypted Encrochat phone, with his handler name of “Duckfarmer”, to accomplices in which he arranged shipments. open image in gallery Steven Martin, 53, of Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, who received prison term of 28 years His “right-hand man”, Steven Martin, 53, of Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, who organised the finances, was imprisoned for 28 years, while another key member, Muhammad Ovais, 46, of Bournelea Avenue, Burnage, Manchester, who was in charge of distributing drugs to OCG customers, was sentenced to 27 years in jail. open image in gallery Barbara Rijnbout jailed for 20 years Among others sentenced for drugs importation conspiracy charges were Leonard, 48, of Grosmont Road, Kirkby, Liverpool, who was jailed for 24 years; and Dutch gang bosses Johannes Vesters, 54, and Barbara Rijnbout, 53, both of Utrecht, who received prison terms of 20 years and 18 years.